Centre of Charge: What Is It & How Can I Take It?

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In summary, a centre of charge is the point at which a charge Q must be present to give an equivalent electric effect as the original configuration of the system. However, this concept can only be defined for finite systems and not for infinite systems. Asking for the centre of charge for an infinite number of charges distributed in a linear manner is invalid, just like asking for the midpoint of a line (which only exists for a line-segment with finite length).
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jerry94
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What is a centre of charge?
How can i take a centre of chrage for infinite number of charges distributed in a linear manner?
 
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centre of charge means the point at which the charge Q must be present so as to give a electric effect equivalent to the original configuration of the system of the charge Q.

your second question is invalid question because propertie like centre of charge,centre of mass can only be defined for finite systems,not for infinite system.

your second question was analogous to ask midpoint of a line...as midpoint for a line doesnot exist...midpoint is defined only for a line-segment(finite length).
 

1. What is the center of charge?

The center of charge, also known as the center of mass or center of gravity, is the point at which an object's total mass can be considered to be concentrated. It is the point around which an object's weight is evenly distributed.

2. How is the center of charge different from the center of mass?

The center of charge and the center of mass are essentially the same concept, but they are calculated differently based on the type of object. The center of charge is used for charged particles or systems, while the center of mass is used for any object with mass.

3. How is the center of charge calculated?

The center of charge is calculated by finding the weighted average of the positions of all the charges in a system. This means multiplying each charge's position by its magnitude and then dividing by the total charge of the system.

4. Why is the center of charge important?

The center of charge is important because it helps us understand the behavior of charged objects or systems. It is also useful in calculating the electric field and potential at different points in space.

5. How can I determine the center of charge experimentally?

The center of charge can be determined experimentally by using a torsion balance. This involves suspending a charged object from a thin wire and measuring the torque on the wire. By adjusting the position of the object, the center of charge can be found when the torque is zero.

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